Hello Donalds!
Gonna try to catch up here quickly since it's almost bedtime for me here!
We had a GREAT weekend in Paris and DH & DS were very cooperative with my commando style touring. They are not always so helpful with this but I think they realized we needed to move around quickly if we wanted to take advantage of the short time we would be there. The weather was cold and windy all weekend and rainy all day Saturday so that stunk but otherwise we had a blast. We are already planning what we would do next time we can go. Since we've now all seen the major museums and monuments, next time we can be a little more relaxed and do some things off the beaten path. Loved our hotel and we could stick our head out the window, look right and see the Eiffel Tower at night
I used my Friday morning weigh-in since I was up .8 this morning. We did eat some very decadent things over the weekend but I honestly thought all the walking would have taken care of the food but oh well, I can take off .8 this week. Came back to FREEZING temps and light snow here in Germany. Also, our heat was not working again! (we had problems last Fall) and the hot water was not working either. I used this as an excuse to miss my German class today and the PTA meeting today! I was very lazy today and just watched some shows on my DVR. I think I could have gone out in public w/o a shower but my hair really needed washing & styling badly so I HAD to stay in

....finally got heat back about 4:00 today and should have hot water in the morning. I have a pile of dishes to wash because our dishwasher is also NOT WORKING! Our rental contract says we have to pay for all appliance repairs up to 500 euros

It quit working about a week ago and DH (mechanical engineer) keeps tinkering with it and thinking maybe he can fix it. I told him to hold off calling anyone; I really don't mind washing dishes by hand.
Melissa - glad you and Zoe are feeling better.
LTS - way to go on the gym membership! I like your trainer's comments about resting the body. I took that to heart today

Sorry to hear of your bad experience with the volunteer event. It seems to me every volunteer event I'm involved in lately has awful leaders that don't do anything and don't have things properly figured out beforehand. It can be so frustruating!
Buffy - great news on the mammo! You ARE young if you're just getting an invite to your 20th reunion!!! You should go, October gives you plenty of time to shape up. Sounds like you are going to hit the 180's ahead of me; I hope to join you there soon!
Dona - your evening in NYC sounds fantastic, glad it was fun. Glad the theater is coming together just in time. How was your visit with DS and how was the haircut?
Christine - Congrats on getting under 250
Pamela - You finally got the scale to move! That's what I did (eat MORE) to get it to move for me a couple of weeks ago! WTG resisting that pizza

I know you must be so proud of your DD!
LisaH - Wow, almost ***50*** pounds gone, that must feel so good! I hope to be there on day
Wickey's friend - 7 pounds is awesome
Beth - hope you made it home from Denver finally

I think it sounds a little exciting to be snowed in somewhere!
Julie - thanks again for being our coach last week!
Susan - thanks for coaching this week!
some good questions already!
QOTD:
2/18 I don't have a lot of health problems, just my feet problems and achy joints from time to time. I can already tell my feet and joints have improved greatly since losing 27 pounds. I was really having a problem rising from a seated position before I lost some weight, I had to give myself a big heave-ho to get up and my first few steps would be stiff. That's all gone now unless I've been seated for a long time. I'm excited to see how much better it will get after losing more weight. I was able to walk all day in Paris but I was so tired every night and my feet and calves ached. I know I will keep gaining more endurance as I lose more.
2/19 I like mostly pop and dance type music to work out to. I would never show anyone my play list, it totally does not go with me. It's all those songs that have bad words and derogatory lyrics to women. Those songs that have "shawty" in them.....I am way too old to listen to that type of music but it keeps me going when I work out. I also have what we call in the South "shag" music or "beach" music, old songs from the 60's and some country music too. Lisa, I love that song "So close" from Enchanted. I played that CD on my birthday last week, love all those songs!
2/20 I have 2 bathing suits, one that is way too big and one that's just a little too small. Hoping I can wear the smaller one soon. I have a problem covering my big matronly bosom in most suits. I don't want it to look like I want it hanging out there but it usually does! I like 2 pc suits with a cute short skirt on the bottom, I think that's my best style.
2/21 I do love pink in all its shades from soft to hot but I also love black and brown too. Love pink & black together and also blue and brown too.
Well, I think I am all caught up now. The thread has really slowed down alot. Hope I didn't miss anyone. Lisa and Kathy, good luck this weekend, can't wait to hear how everything went.

Thanks again to everyone for the bday wishes. It's hard to get back to reality again.........
Shawn
